The Girl Behind the Screen

Summary: Finding herself in a hotel with monsters for guests, Sarah (The Girl Behind the Screen) must confront the truth while confronting the darkness in her heart.

Waking Up

Luca was looking for her and yet, he didn’t know where she was.

Within the walls of the castle-like hotel she stood in a room that looked like Sierra’s room.

“Are you comfortable?” said an unfamiliar voice.

She turned around to find a blonde man wearing princely garments standing in the doorway.

“Who are you?” she asked nervously.

The guy gave her a charming smile as he was about to introduce himself.

“I’m Alfred, I and my brother, Rupert are the owners of this castle.” he said.

She immediately remembers where she was a moment ago before appearing here. She wonders if Luca was wondering where she was right now.

Blood in Roses! I’m in the other story. The one about the two vampire brothers and that girl who’s a witch that has the gift of clairvoyance. Now, have I taken the place of the girl- what’s the name I gave her? - Oh, right! It was Sierra. She was too busy thinking to herself that she didn’t notice Alfred had come completely in the room.

He frowns at her. “Aren’t you going to answer my question?” he asked, rather impatiently.

She looks at his expression and laughs. “You look so cute when you get frustrated!” she exclaimed.

He stares open-mouthed at her. “I’m not frustrated!” he said angrily.

She stops laughing and looks him in the eyes. “I’ve always loved how you have that stretch of green in your hair. It looks good, especially since you have blonde hair.” she complimented.

“Stop admiring me and answer my question! Are you comfortable!?” he asked again.

Am I comfortable? I don’t even know why I’m here nor do I remember who I am. Who am I? What’s my name? Maybe Alfred knows. No. He might think that I’m Sierra, but I know that I’m not. She stood there with a confused look on her face which worried Alfred.

“Are you alright? What seems to be the matter?” he asked worriedly.

She scratched her head in a confused way. “I can’t seem to remember who I am but I remember where I came from.” she replied. Right! Maybe Luca could tell me who I am. But where is Luca?

“You’re the girl behind the screen, are you not?” he asked.

Girl behind the screen? What is he talking about? She was surprised at what he called her and she’d thought he’d call her Sierra. “Do you know the girl behind the screen’s name?” she asked.

Alfred nods. “It’s…” he began but stopped.

“What? What is it?” she asked desperately.

Alfred turns his eyes away from her. “What’s it going to cost for me to give you this name?” he asked secretly with a small smile.

She gaped at him, dumbstruck. “Really? You want something in return for telling me what my name is.” she said, being the angry one this time.

“Do you want the name or not?” he asked.

“What is it that you want from me?” she asked, cooling off.

Alfred smiles widely at her. “A kiss.” he replied.

A kiss. I’ve kissed many of the fictional boys that I know of, okay maybe one or two. The two that I know of are Zeref and Luca. It wouldn’t hurt to kiss another one, yet I don’t want to hurt their feelings but what the heck- I’ll kiss him. “I accept this kiss that you’ll be receiving from me, Alfie. You don’t mind me calling you Alfie, right?” she said.

Alfred stares at her as if he were annoyed. “With what you just called me, I’d expect you to already know who you are since you find it amusing to always call me that.” he said disapprovingly.

She smiles warmly at him. “What? You don’t like what I call you?” she asked.

“No, but you always insist on calling me Alfie anyways.” he replied, “Yet I still want a kiss from you, Sarah.”

She looked Alfred happily in the face. “Thank you, Alfred! Now I know my name.” she said wrapping her arms around him in an embrace.

Alfred just stands there, shocked. “I said a kiss, not –” he began but was cut off.

Sarah had her lips pressed against his in a kiss that she would never forget. Spade walked in, surprised at what he saw.

“Meow!” Spade made an attempt to stop them.

Sarah and Alfred stepped away from each other and looked towards the cat.

“Spade!” said Sarah excitedly.

“Oh, that cat.” said Alfred, without a care in the world for the animal, “I’ve got to go somewhere. See you some other time.”

Alfred left the room as Sarah turned to Spade, the black cat of the story in Blood in Roses.

“Hey Spade! Do you know why I’m in Sierra’s room?” she asked the cat.

“Of course I know. You are the one behind Sierra’s decisions, are you not?” asked Spade.

The one behind Sierra’s decisions? Of course! The girl behind the screen. I should have known that Blood in Roses is originally an app for your phone/mobile device but can now be played on Facebook on the computer. She smiled at remembering that.

“Yes, I am.” she replied.

Spade looked at her curiously. Suddenly, someone started knocking on the door. Sarah opened it to find Rupert with both his arms stretched out in front of him, holding his cane as usual.

“Hello, Sarah! It’s good to finally see you in person instead of trying to picture what you look like behind that screen of yours.” he greeted her happily, “You must already know who I am if Alfred told you or you knew because you saw the story play out before you.”

“Hello to you too, Rupert. Alfred mentioned you, but I think I already had known who you are before he said anything.” greeted Sarah back, “You’ve been trying to picture what I look like behind the screen?”

“Yes. At first we thought you had a little similarity with Sierra, but now that we can finally see you, you don’t really look much like her.” replied Rupert.

Sarah looked down at her attire, then twirled her hair with her finger to get a good look at herself. “You’re right. I don’t wear anything like she does and my hair is a different color.” she agreed with Rupert. Sierra wore a dark dress but Sarah was wearing blue jeans and a green shirt. Also, Sierra’s hair was black but Sarah’s hair was light brown.

Sarah and Rupert were too busy talking to notice Spade sneak out through the window. Rupert noticed the open window and walked in the room to shut it. He then turned to Sarah.

“You should keep your windows closed just in case any stray animals or things get swept inside.” he informed.

Sarah nods, then looks around and frowns. “Is Sierra here or do I have to take her place as the maid?” she asked.

Rupert shakes his head. “No. Sierra’s out doing her job right now and if you’re wondering, no you are not in her room.” he replied.

Sarah sighed with relief. At least I don’t have to worry if Sierra comes in here wondering why I’m in her room because I’m actually not.

“This room is actually right next to Sierra’s room.” said Rupert.

With the door being open, Sierra walks by and sees them. “Oh, hey Rupert. Who’s the new girl? Did you…?” greeted Sierra. She looks at Rupert awkwardly.

Sarah and Rupert look over at her. Rupert turns his eyes away from her.

“No. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” he replied, only hearing the last question.

Sarah looks at Rupert after staring at Sierra for a while. “You drank some of my blood!” she exclaimed, face flushed with embarrassment.

Rupert looks at her and smiles. “Yes. It was very sweet blood, but it was almost as if darkness tainted it. That part tasted disgusting.” he said, saying the part at the end with distaste.

My blood runs through your veins.

The voice in her head wasn’t hers but something dark had spoken to her and she didn’t know who. Sarah turns back to see that Sierra was staring at her.

“What’s your name?” asked Sierra.

“Sarah.” she replied. Should I tell her that I’m the girl behind the screen that makes all the decisions for her when the options pop up?

Sierra smiles at her. “Nice name.” she said, “I’m going to rest up in my room if you don’t mind, Rupert.”

Chapters

Kayla Wentz:
This book had me hooked from the beginning! I kept coming back for more. It only took me a day to read! I couldn't put it down! Absolutely A-Mazing! This book keep the story going and there's never a dull moment!

MavisMcQueen:
"To Live Again" is a well crafted, highly engaging, heart vibrating tale surrounding our favorite Elven King. The author will keep you engrossed until the very end and by that time you will feel so strongly for Clara and the other characters that you will never want it to end...like ever. Thrandu...

Lauren Suzmeyan-Raine:
I'm so glad you found a place to post your stories. I was horrified when I saw yours had been taken down, they are definitely the best 'reading' stories I've ever read. And I've made it my business to read every one I can. Well done.Lauren

ernbelle:
When I first started this story I was a little unsettled by all of the information that appears in the prologue, and wasn't sure if I would continue. However, I am very glad I did. The plot was very well thought out and really interesting. There were not any page breaks or markers to acknowledge ...

Flik:
Hi! ^.^ huge fan of yours on ff.net! When I saw the note about this contest on The Way We Smile, I couldn't help but rush over here, create an account, and vote! XD Seriously love this story and would recommend it to anyone! :D best FT fanfiction out there. Amazing story, amazing concept that wa...

Animeviewer:
It is one of the best stories I've ever read. This story will have you riding a roller coaster of emotions and nearly dying to know what happens next.You will get very attached to the characters and in my case I relate well with some of their very traumatic or emotional experiences, Just Juliet f...

Hudson:
Your story was fantastic Erin! The Rising Sun was one of the first stories I read on Inkitt, and I have to say I don't regret the three to four days I spent pouring through the story.Probably the biggest strength I see in your writing is your characterisation of Eliana, Oriens, and the rest of th...

europeanlove:
I gotta hand it to you. I love reading. I read books everyday. When the book is good I can read it in probably 13 hours. Your story was amazing. Great prose, very imaginative. Incredible dialogue. I am deeply impressed. Keep it up.

Jenn Deering:
This is a go-to story for when you're needing a little happiness in your life. It's well-crafted, and characters are true to their show-selves. The pace is right, there are minimal grammatical errors, and the plot is fresh.

Felisa Yoder Osburn:
I really enjoyed the story. Civil War stories are some of my favorites and the intertwining of the past with current times was wonderful. I look forward to reading the next stories.

summerstone:
Seriously this is one of the best books I've ever read. The plot is intriguing, I love the narrative style. Its very descriptive and unique, with minimal cliches. It makes for a great read and the sequels are amazing. Totally worth reading. ^^ That's me trying to be professional. But in all hones...

Schaelz:
I was intrigued from the second I started reading, and it kept my interest the whole way through. Chelsea has a way with words that will enchant you until the very end. She is very poetic with the way she mixes genres and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The main character is also very relat...